James MacDonald Claims First North America Cup Victory with Odds On Mr Mamba
Driver James MacDonald secured a career milestone on Saturday, guiding Odds On Mr Mamba to victory in the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The win marked MacDonald’s first triumph in Canada’s premier harness race for three-year-old pacers—a moment he described as “a dream come true.”
MacDonald, who has been a dominant figure on the Mohawk circuit in recent years, recalled watching the 2010 North America Cup from afar at Kawartha Downs when his brother Mark won with Sportswriter. “I never thought I would do something like that,” he said. “For me it’s something very special.”
Strategic Drive Seals Win in 1:48 1/5
The race unfolded with reigning Horse of the Year Beau Jangles taking the lead into the homestretch, while Odds On Mr Mamba settled midfield through the middle stages. MacDonald then angled his gelding to the center of the track, launching a powerful move to overtake the pacesetter and hold off the runner-up in a final time of 1:48 1/5.
“I was so confident with the draw and the way the race went,” MacDonald said. “I thought I was getting a good trip.”
From World Record Holder to North America Cup Champion
Odds On Mr Mamba, trained by Melanie Wrenn, entered the race as the 5-2 second choice after setting a world record for two-year-old pacers last year with a 1:47 4/5 clocking in an Indiana Sates Stakes event. His North America Cup win pushed his career earnings past the $1 million mark, cementing his status as the top three-year-old pacer in North America.
Other Major Winners on Star-Studded Card
The undercard featured several other notable performances:
- Loua Dipa held off Be Perfect Bg to win the $420,000 Fan Hannoner final. Driven by Ronnie Wrenn and trained by Ron Burke, the talented pacer now boasts 11 wins from 16 starts.
- Miki and Minnie, the 8-5 favorite, led from start to finish to capture the $320,000 “Roses Are Red” for four-year-old mares. The Chris Ryder trainee was expertly driven by James MacDonald.
- Bourbonista delivered a stunning 43-1 upset in the $215,000 Armbro Flight for five-year-old mares. Guided by Dexter Dunn and trained by Marcus Melander, the mare notched her seventh career victory.
- Neighver Punt, also driven by Dunn and trained by Melander, rallied late to defeat favorite Magic Punk (3-5) in the $240,000 Goodtimes for three-year-old trotters. Sent off at 5-2, the trotter now has three wins for his connections.
- Dexter Dunn capped off a big night with a win in the $100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup aboard Ervin Hanover, the Canadian record holder who notched his 28th career win.
The 43rd running of the North America Cup delivered thrilling racing and career-defining moments, highlighted by MacDonald’s emotional first victory in one of harness racing’s most prestigious events.
